Turns out you are what you eat after all and when it comes to your skin, a lifetime of good eating habits will reward you richly as you age.  More than any other factor, your diet is going to impact the overall look of your skin throughout your lifetime.  If you cheat here, there is no cream, lotion,  expensive treatment or amount of plastice surgery that can undo what you have ‘not’ done.  None.

Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated but it does take commitment and self-discipline.  The good news is once you establish healthy eating habits you’ll soon notice many added benefits beyond the original goal.  Benefits like an improved sense of self-worth, a more intimate understanding of your own inner strengths as well as self-reliance as you learn you really are master of your own destiny in more ways than not.

So just how should you be eating for beauty?

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables daily:

These food contain antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamins C, E, which will curb the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules harm skin cells and lead to signs of aging. Include foods like blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, kale, spinach, tomatoes and brightly colored peppers.

Water:

Your skin needs water and lots of it to stay smooth, flexible and healthy.  We aren’t talking any liquids here, we are talking good old fashioned water.  How much? Your body needs at least (8) 8 ounce glasses a day to replenish what it needs to function and for major ‘filtering organs’, like your skin, to function optimally.  Cheating here is not an option.  At the microscopic level your skin is a fluid filled permeable wonder.  It’s up to you to fill the tank and keep it full.

Cut back on animal protein; way back:

That’s right.  Animal protein is extremely hard on the skin because it’s an acid.  Your body functions within a very narrow range of pH at about 7.0, which is slightly alkaline. When the foods you eat move your body out of this range of alkalinity, the cells don’t function properly. In these cases, your body then seeks to pull mineral salts from cells and bones in order to restore alkalinity. This can result in free radical formation, which accelerates the aging process. Incidentally, it will also contribute to bone demineralization, which leads to weakened bones and, ultimately, osteoporosis.  In nonwestern cultures where animal protein is scarce in diets, osteoporosis does not exist.

Oils and fats:
Omega-3s help slow down the aging process and restore moisture to dry skin because they have strong anti-inflammatory properties, Omega-3s help heal and reduce inflammation underneath the skin’s surface and help maintain the outer layer of the skin keeping it strong and intact so that external toxins and pollutants are kept out. Some food sources include avocados, oily fish, walnuts, seeds, chia seeds natural peanut butter and olive oil.

What to avoid:

Sugary snacks, refined and processed foods, alcohol and soft drinks, basically, anything Mother Nature didn’t create.

Beyond diet:

Shiled your skin from harsh sun but know that you do need sunshine for health, just be sensible in getting it. Get 7-8 hours of regular sleep and maintain a schedule.  Avoid chronic stress, exercise and of course use natural, non toxic skin care to protect your skin from environmental insults.

If you are late getting started in the game of healthy eating to maintain beautiful skin don’t worry.  Your skin is an amazing organ and capable of regenerating and improving at any age.  You have to give it time to see results, however.  Anticipate three months up to one year to get yourself really glowing!